SideNotes

SideNotes

Notes on the side of your screen

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  • Mac


  • Version 1.5.4


  • macOS 13 or later


  • 24.2 MB


  • 1 languages

SideNotes is a sidebar app that covers one side of your Mac’s screen with notes. Text, code, or images — SideNotes can handle it all, so that you keep important content close at hand. For convenience, bring notes into custom folders, color code, and add check boxes for tasks. It’s one shelf for everything that really matters.

  • Keep notes visible on your screen

  • Study faster with notes on the side

  • Quickly save anything from the web

  • Jot down notes and tasks on the fly

SideNotes features


Notes that don’t distract you

Whether it’s a blog post, a piece of code, or recently downloaded images, SideNotes can keep all of that on your desktop. The best part is you won’t even notice it’s there. The app acts as an overlay menu — bringing notes to your notice whenever you need them.


Robust display options

Remember, it won’t distract you. This is why you get to choose when and on what side of your screen the app should appear. Go to Preferences and choose one of two desktop arrangements — Left or Right. You can also choose how to hide/show SideNotes using keyboard shortcuts or clicking.


Code-friendly interface

SideNotes supports monospaced font for code. Same width for every character — so that you don’t have to go anywhere and convert your fonts. Copy a piece of code and paste it into the SideNotes window as you go. For better organization, you can use a specific color for your code notes.


Markdown formatting support

When creating a new note, you can choose the mode you need — code, plain text, or standard (markdown). The latter unlocks a variety of formatting options like adding headers or making text into a quote. Anything you paste is properly styled and formatted, by default.


Your to-dos, covered

With SideNotes by your side, you’ll be completing more tasks than before. So here’s another feature you’ll need — creating and managing lists of tasks right inside your notes. If you click on the text formatting button, you’ll be able to add check boxes for your to-dos.


Share your notes

SideNotes will keep your notes confidential unless you want to share them with the world. The app supports different sharing options like Messages, Reminders, Notes, and Dropshare. You can always add some more if you want. Just hit the share button in the bottom left corner of your note.


SideNotes icon image

Ratings and reviews


SideNotes

97%

1424 ratings

  • NMG

    Mar 25, 2026

    App version: 1.5.3

    As others have said, would love the option to collapse long notes. Or maybe resize the note from the bottom like you can from the side? I also realize this isn't a "ToDo" app, but it would be great if tasks could clear once checked. Including an option to archive (or hide) notes would be useful. Finally, allowing the user to move the location of the "Open Bar" (up and down the screen edge) would be a helpful feature. Thank you!

    Response from Developer

    Mar 27, 2026

    Collapsing and clearing completed todos is already implemented and will be in SN 1.6 :)

  • Karim Shehadeh

    Mar 21, 2026

    App version: 1.5.2

    The ergonomics are a little awkward, I want to be able to easily access by keyboard and dismiss with keyboard but I’ve found it to be heavily mouse-dependant

    Response from Developer

    Mar 25, 2026

    Please contact us via apptorium.com/contact The app is designed to work with keyboard only, so I'd like to get more feedback from you.

  • Thomas

    Mar 6, 2026

    App version: 1.5.3

    It’s helped me do some quick notes and copy/paste links that I can organize later — vs. having put them in Notes or in Stickes.

See all reviews

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SideNotes

SideNotes

Notes on the side of your screen

Try free with Setapp

From $9.99/month. Free for 7 days.
This and hundreds of additional apps.


From $9.99/year. This app only.